Fence Components and Fences

ABSTRACT

A fence for controlling the movement of animals. The fence comprises an elongate portion which is above ground level and which, in one way or another, make it more difficult for an animal to climb up the fence and/or deter an animal from attempting to climb up the fence. For convenience, the elongate portion is denoted a BB band. Fence components comprising BB bands, and methods for preparing them, are described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from, and the benefit of, Provisional Application No. 62/868,799, filed Jun. 28, 2019, by Vincent P Morris. The entire disclosure of that application is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

This application is related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,848,866, 7,008,144 7,131,787, 7,172,372, 7,554,016, 7,955,030, 8,402,630, 9,860,239, 10,335,724 and 10,335,724. The entire disclosure of each of those patents is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to components that can be used in fences (hereinafter “fence components”), fences, methods of making fence components and methods for installing fences making use of fence components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, this invention provides a novel fence which is particularly useful for controlling the movement of animals, including, but not limited to, small vertebrates. Examples of such animals are salamanders, snakes, frogs, mice, lizards, rabbits, turtles, tortoises, terrapins, and ground squirrels. The fence includes at least one elongate portion which is above ground level and which, in one way or another, makes it more difficult for an animal to climb over the fence and/or deters an animal from attempting to climb over the fence. For ease of identification, this elongate portion is referred to herein as a “BB band”. The term “elongate” is used in this specification, including the claims, to mean that the component in question extends along the length of the component or fence including the component.

The possibility of controlling the movement of animals in this way has not previously been suggested.

The fence preferably comprises, in addition to the BB band, an elongate apertured portion which (i) runs along part, and preferably all, of the length of the fence below the BB band, and part way up the height of the fence, and (ii) is secured directly or indirectly to the ground. The BB band extends upwards away from the apertured portion and away from the ground and is preferably exposed on the surface of the fence which the animals are likely to approach. The height of the BB band above the lower portion can be uniform or nonuniform.

The apertures in the lower apertured portion make it possible for water flowing against the fence to pass through the fence. The apertured lower portion can be secured directly to the ground and/or it can be secured to one or more additional components which are secured to the ground, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,860,239.

The fence optionally comprises an upper elongate portion which is preferably, but not necessarily, apertured so that it has reduced resistance to wind. The upper portion is also useful for securing the fence to posts or other supporting structure.

In one embodiment, the fence comprises a central elongate portion which is between and attached to the lower and upper elongate portions, and the BB band is secured to the central portion. The lower, central and upper elongate portions can be part of a single apertured material.

In another embodiment, the lower portion, the BB band and the upper portion are part of an integrated structure. A method of making such an integrated structure is described below.

In a second aspect, this invention provides a novel fence component which can be used as part of a fence according to the first aspect of the invention. The article comprises

-   -   (1) an elongate portion which becomes a BB band in an installed         fence and     -   (2) an elongate apertured portion which (i) extends along the         length of the article and at least partway across the breadth of         the article (i.e. the height when the article is installed),         and (ii) is attached to one edge of the BB band. This apertured         portion becomes the lower portion of the fence when the article         is installed as a fence.

The article optionally also comprises a second portion which (i) extends along the length of the article and at least partway across the breadth of the article (i.e. the height when the article is installed), and (ii) is attached to the other edge of the BB band. The term “attached” is used in a broad sense; thus, the BB band and the elongate portion or portions attached to it can be integral parts of a single structure, or the apertured portion or portions can be attached to edges of the BB band. The upper portion is optionally apertured. When an article having the second portion is installed as a fence, the second portion becomes the upper portion of the fence.

In a third aspect, this invention provides a method of making an article according to the second aspect of the invention. The third aspect of the invention includes any method which results in an article which has a BB band and the first apertured portion, and optionally also the second apertured portion. In one embodiment, described in detail below, the upper and lower apertured portions and the BB band are prepared in a single extrusion step. In another embodiment, the BB band is formed on top of a substrate by (i) applying, for example extruding, a suitable polymeric composition on top of the substrate, or (ii) securing a preformed BB band onto an apertured substrate, for example by sewing or by means of an adhesive. In these embodiments, the substrate for the BB band can be, but is not necessarily, the same as the first and/or second apertured portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are diagrammatic and exemplary, which are not to scale, and in which

FIG. 1 is a front view of a part of a fence of the invention in the vertical position, with a lower apertured portion 2, an upper apertured portion 3, and a BB band 1 between the lower and upper portions;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of a fence component of the invention in the vertical position with an apertured lower portion 2 which has been made by perforating a polymeric sheet, and a BB band 1 attached to the top of the lower portion;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of a fence component of the invention comprising a lower apertured portion 2 which has been made by perforating a polymeric sheet, an upper portion 3 which has been made by perforating a polymeric sheet, and a BB band 1 between the lower and upper portions; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of a fence component which comprises an apertured lower section 2 and an integrally attached BB band 1 having vertical striations, the lower section and the BB band having been produced in a single extrusion operation, as further described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the Summary of the Invention above, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention, including for example components, ingredients, devices, apparatus, systems, test results and steps. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular mode, aspect, embodiment, Figure or claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in the context of any other particular mode, aspect, embodiment, Figure or claim, and in the invention generally. For example, some of the detailed description below refers to the preferred fences which include both an apertured lower portion and an apertured upper portion. But it is to be understood that individual features of that description can be applied to fences which have only a lower portion below the BB band or only an upper portion above the BB band.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein includes embodiments not specifically described herein and can for example make use of features which are not specifically described herein but which provide functions which are the same, equivalent or similar to, features specifically disclosed herein.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other features are optionally present. For example, a fence as described above which comprises the specified components (1), (2) and (3) can consist of those specified components or can also contain other non-specified components. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, then, unless the context requires otherwise, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously, and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps. The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1, and “at least 80%” means 80% or more than 80%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, “0.5-3” means a range whose lower limit is 0.5, and whose upper limit is 3. The numbers given herein should be construed with the latitude appropriate to their context and expression. The terms “plural” and “plurality” are used herein to mean two or more. When reference is made herein to “a”, “an”, “one” or “the” feature, it is to be understood that, unless the context requires otherwise, there can be one such feature or two or more such features.

Where reference is made herein to two or more components (or parts or portions etc.), it is to be understood that the components can be, unless the context requires otherwise, separate from each other or integral parts of a single structure or a single component acting as the two or more specified components.

When reference is made herein to a component being above or below, or at the front, or at the rear, or upwards or downwards, the reference is to a fence which extends upwards from the ground.

BB Bands, Fences and Articles for Providing Fences.

The bottom of the BB band can be placed at or above ground level. If it is above ground level, the bottom of the BB band is at a height above ground level appropriate to the animal that is to be confined. The vertical height of the BB band is appropriate to the animal that is to be confined. There is a variety of characteristics that the BB band may have in order to achieve the objective of making it more difficult for an animal to climb up and over the fence and/or to deter an animal from attempting to climb over the fence. The BB band may have one or more of the following characteristics.

-   -   (1) The BB band comprises a polymeric material.     -   (2) The BB band is completely free of apertures or comprises         only apertures which cannot assist an animal to climb up it.     -   (3) The BB band comprises vertical striations.     -   (4) At least part of the BB band is opaque.     -   (5) At least part of the BB band is translucent.     -   (6) At least part of the BB band is black.     -   (7) At least part of the BB band has a color other than black,         for example blue, green or white.     -   (8) At least part of the BB band is transparent.     -   (9) At least part of the BB band is reflective.     -   (10) The BB band is uniform in its appearance.     -   (11) The BB band is striped or stippled or otherwise non-uniform         in appearance.     -   (12) The BB band comprises a sheet of polymeric material (for         example polyethylene, e.g. high density polyethylene) having an         exposed surface such that the animal to be confined cannot gain         purchase on the BB band in a way that enables upward progress,         for example because the animal cannot insert its digits or claws         into the material to lift itself upwards. For example, the BB         band can have a Shore Hardness of at least 95 and/or a CBR         puncture strength (ASTM D4491) of at least 237 pounds.     -   (13) At least part of the BB band has a smooth surface, for         example a surface as smooth as a conventionally extruded         polymeric material.     -   (14) The BB band comprises a polymeric material containing         components that improve the resistance of the BB band to         atmospheric radiation.     -   (15) At least part of the BB band has a low static coefficient         of friction against steel, for example less than 0.5, preferably         less than 0.3.     -   (16) The breadth of the BB band (i.e. its height in an installed         fence) is uniform.     -   (17) the breadth of the BB band (i.e. its height in an installed         fence) is nonuniform     -   (18) There are two or more BB bands separated vertically.

The fence, and in particular the proportions and surface characteristics of the BB band can be selected taking into consideration the particular animal or animals to be confined by the fence. Thus, the fence may have different proportions and surface characteristics for confining one or more different animals, for example mice, squirrels, frogs and salamanders.

The width (i.e. height in an installed fence) of the BB band (the dimension y in FIG. 1) can for example be 3-40 inches, e.g. 3-15 inches, or 3-6 inches, or 4-8 inches, or 5-12 inches.

The width of the lower apertured portion (i.e. height in an installed fence), the dimension x in FIG. 1, can for example be 0-10 inches, e.g. 3-10 inches, or 4-9 inches.

The width (i.e. height in an installed fence), the dimension z in FIG. 1, of the upper apertured portion can for example be 0-60 inches, e.g. 4-48 inches or 6-24 inches.

The total height of the installed fence can for example be 12-72 inches, e.g. 12-42 inches, or 15-42 inches, or 24-48 inches.

When the fence comprises both upper and lower apertured portions, the upper and lower portions can be made of the same or different materials. In some embodiments, the lower and upper portions are lower and upper parts of the same apertured sheet material and the substrate for the BB band is attached to an intermediate portion of the same apertured sheet. The apertured portions can be composed of melt-extruded polymeric strands (for example as described later) or can be made by perforating a polymeric sheet.

The apertures in the lower and upper portions of the fence have any cross-section, for example a circular cross-section produced by perforating a polymeric sheet, or a generally rectangular, e.g. a square, shape.

In one embodiment, one or both of the lower and upper portions is a sheet material which comprises, and may consist essentially of,

-   -   (A) a first set of melt-extruded polymeric strands which run in         the machine direction and are parallel to each other and spaced         apart from each other with a distance between adjacent strands         of 0.1-0.5 inch, for example 0.1-0.13 inch, and     -   (B) a second set of melt-extruded polymeric strands which are         generally at right angles to the polymeric strands of the first         set (thus forming rectangular, including square, apertures),         which are parallel to each other, which are spaced apart from         each other with a distance between adjacent strands of 0.1-0.5         inch, for example 0.1-0.3 inch.         Godowns five pages In another aspect, this invention provides a         method of making a fence component which comprises an apertured         lower section 2, an apertured upper section 3 and an integrally         attached BB band 1 having vertical striations, the lower         section, the upper section and the BB band having been produced         in a single extrusion operation, as further described below.

A housing is provided with a circular opening with strand-forming dies in the form of grooves around the periphery of the opening. An inner member ring fits in this opening and has a close surface of contact with the grooved circular opening. An annular groove is a transverse groove in the housing which serves to interconnect the strand-forming die grooves. The upper portion of member extends through the housing where an appropriate seal is formed to permit movement of member with continuous sealing throughout. An upper part of member is attached to a shaft which extends through the upper housing member. A spring is positioned in compression between the top of inner member and the interior surface of upper housing member, thus holding inner member tightly within the housing. Horizontal disc is attached to shaft and is acted on from below by rotary cams. As the cams are rotated, the inner member (piston) is intermittently elevated thus producing a separation between member and the housing of the die face.

The housing is provided with an inlet feed through which molten polymer may be introduced under pressure to polymer cavity. The polymer will flow down through die grooves and produce individual strands. Instead of periodic grooves for the strands, a long arc is machined such that instead of strands, a sheet is allowed to flow through the die in the machine direction. In addition, the polymer will flow through interconnecting groove forming a reservoir of polymer close to the die face. As inner member is elevated (pumped piston style) the polymer will flow down between it and the housing as well as down through the groups. When inner member is lowered into place again, the polymer is again extruded only from strand-extruding die grooves. Thus, the operation of this apparatus provides periodic extrusion of a transverse ring of polymer integrated with the strands.

Unlike the apparatus used to make netting with diamond-shaped apertures, this apparatus does not involve rotating dies. It involves a stationary die head and a piston style inner member which is pumped to create the transverse rings that integrate with the machine direction strands. A fence component prepared in this way has upper and lower apertured portions in which the apertures have a generally rectangular shape and an integral BB band having striations which run vertically.

The polymeric strands in the first and second sets of polymeric strands optionally have a thickness in the laminar dimension of the sheet direction of the sheet between the crossover points of 0.04 to 0.5 inch.

In a second embodiment, one or both of the apertured portions of the fence component are produced by perforating a polymeric sheet material. The perforations can be produced by passing the polymeric sheet through a punch press, for example a rotary punch press. The perforations can be made as part of a continuous process which begins with the melt extrusion of the polymeric sheet material. Alternatively, the perforations can be made in a separate operation carried out on a preformed sheet material. The BB band can be integral with the one or both of the apertured portions, or one or both of the apertured portions can be attached to a preformed BB band.

The apertured sheet material optionally has a tensile strength in the machine direction of at least 400 pounds (ASTM D 4595) and in the transverse direction of at least 325 pounds (ASTM D4595).

The solid surface area of the apertured sheet material is optionally 1-80%, e.g. 10-80%, for example 25 to 65%, of its total area, both areas being viewed at right angles to the sheet material.

One or both of the apertured portions of the fence and fence component optionally have one or more of the following characteristics.

(1) It has a percentage open area (COE 02215-86) of at least 1%, e.g. at least 30%, preferably at least 35%, e.g. 35-50%. (2) When tested by ASTM D4491, it has a flow rate of at least 20, e.g. at least 200, for example at least 600, preferably at least 1500, gallons per square foot per minute. (3) It has a weight of 0.12-0.25, e.g. 0.150-0.180, pounds per square foot. (4) When it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, e.g. direct sunlight, for 500 hours, it changes in tensile strength by less than 20%, for example less than 15%, e.g. less than 10%, based on the tensile strength before the test (for example when tested in accordance with ASTM 4355 or ASTM D4595). (5) When a sample of the sheet 3 foot square is subjected to a test in which the sample is suspended vertically, with an upper edge of the sample continuously supported and the remainder of the sample hanging freely from the upper support, the supported edge being parallel to the first strands, or parallel to the second strands or being along a line which is equally inclined to the first and second strands, and the suspended sample is exposed to a temperature of 160° C. for 12 hours and then to a temperature of 20° C. for 1 hour, has a vertical dimension which changes by less than 15%, for example less than 10%, e.g. less than 5%, based on the vertical dimension before the test. (6) When a sample of the sheet 3 foot square is subjected to a test in which the sample is supported on a flat horizontal surface and maintained for one hour at 100° C. and then at 20° C. for two hours, the sample does not change in any horizontal dimension by more than 5%, for example more than 3%, e.g. more than 1.5%, based on that dimension before the test. (7) In the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the first and second strands are composed of a polymeric material, preferably the same polymeric material, for example a composition comprising a polymer, e.g. polypropylene or high density polyethylene, and a filler. The polymeric material is preferably one that can be recycled. (8) In the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the first and second strands are composed of a material, e.g. a polymeric material, having a coefficient of friction which is less than 0.4, e.g. less than 0.3. This preferred characteristic is significant in making the apertured portions of the fence more difficult for an animal to climb. (9) In the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the first and second strands are composed of a material, e.g. a polymeric material, having a tear strength at 20° C. of at least 15, e.g. 18-25, Newtons per square millimeter. (10) The apertured sheet material is composed of a material, e.g. a polymeric material having a Shore Hardness at 20° C. of at least 80, for example 90-100. (11) in the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the angle between the first and second strands is 30-90°, for example 45-90°, e.g. 60-80°. (12) in the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the width of each of the first and second strands between the crossover points in the plane of the sheet (or if the sheet is not planar, in the laminar dimension of the sheet) is 0.055-0.15 inch, for example about 0.1 inch. (13) In the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the thickness of the sheet at the crossover points at right angles to the plane of the sheet is 0.1-0.20 inch, e.g. about 0.12-0.16 inch. (14) In the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the distance between the centers of the first strands is 0.18-0.35 inch, e.g. 0.22-0.28 inch, for example 0.25 inch, and the distance between the centers of the second strands is 0.18-0.35 inch, e.g. 0.22-0.28 inch, for example 0.25 inch. (15) In the first embodiment of the apertured sheet material, the distance between adjacent edges of the first strands is 0.12-0.2 inch, for example about 0.15 inch and the distance between adjacent edges of the second strands is 0.12-0.02 inch, e.g. about 0.15 inch. (16) The size and shape of the apertures is such that the force required to pull a sphere of diameter 0.375 inch through the apertures is at least 38 lbs. (17) The size and shape of the apertures is such that a cylinder of diameter 0.156 inch will pass through the aperture, with the cylinder just touching the sides of the aperture, and a cylinder of diameter 0.188 inch or larger will not pass through the aperture. (18) The weight of the sheet is 0.16 to 0.19 pounds per square foot. (19) The sheet has a tensile strength in the machine direction of at least 400 lbs (ASTM D4595) and in the transverse direction of at least 325 lbs (ASTM D4595). (20) The sheet has a CBR puncture strength (ASTM D6241) of at least 230 lbs. (21) The sheet is composed of a polymer having a Shore Hardness at 68° F. of least 80.

In one embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the fence component is in the form of a roll having multiple layers of apertured sheet material with the BB band attached to them. The roll can be transported easily and can be unrolled for installation. The length of the barrier in the roll can be at least 50 feet, or substantially longer, e.g. 100 feet, 200 feet or 300 feet. The inside diameter of the roll can be, for example 1 to 8, for example 1 to 5, inch.

The Figures.

In the Figures, the reference numerals denote

1 the BB band,

2 a lower apertured portion, and

3 an upper apertured portion.

In FIG. 1, the lower and upper edges of the BB band are attached to, respectively, the lower apertured portion 2 and the upper apertured portion 3. The portions 2 and 3 have square apertures. The vertical dimensions “x”, “y” and “z” can be selected to take account of the animal or animals to be confined by the fence. For example, a large squirrel might require a large value of “y”, whereas a small mouse might require a much smaller dimension. In one embodiment, part or all of the lower apertured portion 2 is buried in, or otherwise secured to, the ground.

FIG. 2 is part of a fence component of the invention comprising a BB band 1 and a lower portion 2 made by perforating a polymeric sheet.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but in addition has an upper perforated portion 3.

FIG. 4 is a part of a fence component of the invention which has been made by the extrusion method described above and which shows the junction between the lower apertured portion 2, which has generally rectangular apertures, and the BB band, which has striations running vertically up the fence. 

1. An elongate fence component which comprises (1) an elongate band which, when it is part of a fence, is above ground and makes it more difficult for an animal to climb up the fence and/or deters an animal from attempting to climb up the fence (a BB band), and (2) an elongate portion which comprises apertures and which is attached to one edge of the BB band.
 2. A fence component according to claim 1 which comprises a single elongate apertured portion attached to one edge of the BB band.
 3. A fence component according to claim 1 which comprises two elongate apertured portions attached to opposite edges of the BB band.
 4. A fence component according to claim 1 wherein the BB band is free of apertures.
 5. A fence component according to claim 1 wherein the BB band is at least partially opaque.
 6. A fence component according to claim 5 wherein the BB band is colored.
 7. A fence component according to claim 1 wherein the BB band has an exposed surface which is slippery.
 8. A fence component according to claim 1 wherein the BB band is a sheet of a polymeric composition.
 9. A fence component according to claim 1 which is in the form of a roll.
 10. A fence for controlling the movement of animals, the fence comprising an elongate band which runs along the length of the fence above ground and makes it more difficult for an animal to climb up the fence and/or deters an animal from attempting to climb up the fence (a BB band),
 11. A fence according to claim 10 which comprises an elongate apertured portion which (i) runs along part or all of the length of the fence below the BB band, (ii) is attached to a lower edge of the BB band, (iii) is secured to the ground, and (iv) extends part way up the height of the fence.
 12. A fence according to claim 11 which comprises a second elongate apertured portion which (i) runs along part or all of the length of the fence above the BB band and (ii) is secured an upper edge of the BB band.
 13. A method of making a fence component according to claim 1 which comprises attaching the BB band to a substrate which comprises the apertured portion.
 14. A method of making a fence component according to claim 1 which comprises forming the BB band on a substrate which comprises the apertured portion.
 15. A method of making a fence component according to claim 1 which comprises, in addition to the lower portion, an elongate upper portion, the method comprising preparing the lower portion, the BB band and the upper portion in a single extrusion method so that they are part of an integrated structure. If 